I’ve seen applicants with clean backgrounds and only a lower credit score, only to later find out there were judgments from a previous landlord that wouldn’t have shown up on a standard report.

The inherited tenant is an asset, not a problemThe occupied side is rented by a ~70-year-old gentleman who keeps the place extremely clean and well-maintained.

Before you swing a hammer, confirm clean title, redeemed taxes, code liens, and permit history; get utilities on and do a full safety check: roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and sewer.

Vet hard: ask for a recent tape they sold and buyer references, verify they’re the seller or have a written mandate, avoid anyone asking for upfront broker fees before diligence, and insist on a clean chain of assignments plus collateral file access under NDA.

With only 8–9 months before training, I’d pick stability over FOMO: house hack only if it’s a clean 2–4 unit that cash flows on conservative rents, you can self-manage locally for a few months, and a PM can seamlessly take over while you’re gone; otherwise take Option A, stack cash, and tighten your buy box so you can strike when you return.

Fastest close I’ve done was under two weeks using true private money with docs ready, clean title, and an appraisal waiver from the seller’s side to keep it simple.

 It might be worth changing your title to cleaning out because I thought you were inquiring about house keeping services not clean out.

I would clean it and get everything staged, if you are staging and do all other items to get it on the market.

What I found is that as long as a home is clean and well kept with a reasonable rent finding tenants isn't difficult even if the house is a little wanky.

@Adele Tegger I'd likely get representation to keep things as clean and above board as possible.